Fate characteristics and risk identification of thifluzamide in buckwheat across China: Analytical method development, occurrence, and health assessment.

Elaborating on the fate tendency of thifluzamide (thiazole-amide fungicide) in buckwheat based on nationwide application is vital for grain security and human health based on nationwide application. A rapid and sensitive analytical method was developed to trace thifluzamide in buckwheat matrices using an ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (UHPLC-MS/MS), with a retention time of 2.90 min and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 0.001 mg/kg. Thifluzamide could be stably stored for 84 d in buckwheat matrices under -20 °C under dark condition. The occurrence, dissipation and terminal magnitudes of thifluzamide were reflected by the primary deposition of 0.02-0.55 mg/kg, half-lives of 12-14 d, and highest residues of 0.41 mg/kg. The long-term risks (ADI%) of thifluzamide were 37.268 %-131.658 % in registered crops, and the risks for the rural population were significantly higher than those of the urban population. The unacceptable dietary risks of thifluzamide should be continuously emphasized for children aged 2-7 with an ADI% values of 100.750 %-131.658 %. A probabilistic model was further introduced to evaluate the risk discrepancy of thifluzamide in buckwheat, showing the risks in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tararicum Gaerth) were 1.5-75.4 times than that in sweet buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum Moench). Despite the low risks for dietary buckwheat, the high-potential health hazards of thifluzamide should be pay more attention given the increasing applications and cumulative effects.

Quantitative assessment of thenar to evaluate hand function after stroke by Bayes discriminant.

BACKGROUND: The incidence rate of stroke or cerebrovascular accidents ranks first in China. More than 85% of stroke patients have residual upper limb motor dysfunction, especially hand dysfunction. Normalizing the rehabilitation evaluation process and standard quantitative evaluation method is a complex and key point in rehabilitation therapy. The study aimed to establish a function model based on the Bayes discriminant by measuring the thenar stiffness with shear wave elastography (SWE) to quantitatively evaluate the hand motor function of hemiplegic patients after stroke. METHODS: This study collected 60 patients diagnosed with hemiplegia after stroke from October 2021 to October 2022. Therapists used the Brunnstrom assessment (BA)scale to divide the patients into the stage. All the patients underwent the measurement of SWE examination of abductor pollicis brevis (APB), opponens pollicis (OP), flexor pollicis long tendon (FPLT), and flexor pollicis brevis (FPB) by two sonographers. The SWE change rate of four parts of the thenar area was calculated prospectively with the non-hemiplegic side as the reference, the function equation was established by the Bayes discriminant method, and the evaluation model was fitted according to the acquired training set data. Lastly, the model was verified by self-validation, cross-validation, and external data validation methods. The classification performance was evaluated regarding the area under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity. RESULTS: The median SWE values of the hemiplegic side of patients were lower than those of the non-hemiplegic side. According to the BA stage and SWER of APB, OP, FPLT, and FPB, our study established the Bayes discriminative model and validated it via self-validation and cross-validation methods. Then, the discriminant equation was used to validate 18 patients prospectively, the diagnostic coincidence rate was about 78.8%, and the misjudgment rate was approximately 21.2%. The AUC of the discriminant model for diagnosing BA stage I-VI was 0.928(95% CI: 0.839-1.0),0.858(95% CI: 0.748-0.969),1.0(95% CI: 1.0-1.0), 0.777(95% CI: 0.599-0.954),0.785(95% CI: 0.593-0.977) and 0.985(95% CI: 0.959-1.0), respectively. CONCLUSION: This Bayes discriminant model built by measuring thenar stiffness was of diagnostic value and can provide an objective basis for evaluating clinical rehabilitation.

Application of decision tree algorithms to predict central lymph node metastasis in well-differentiated papillary thyroid carcinoma based on multimodal ultrasound parameters: a retrospective study.

Background: Prophylactic central neck dissection (pCND) in patients with well-differentiated primary papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) has become controversial. Several attempts have been made to predict central compartment lymph node metastasis (CLNM) based on clinical and conventional ultrasonic parameters. This study aimed to develop a decision tree (DT) model for predicting the risk of CLNM in patients with PTC based on clinical and preoperative multimodal ultrasound (US) characteristics. Methods: A total of 148 PTC nodules confirmed by surgical pathology at Beijing Tiantan Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. All nodules underwent multimodal US examinations preoperatively from January 2020 to September 2021. Correlation analysis of CLNM with clinical characteristics as well as multimodal US parameters of PTC lesions based on gray-scale US, color Doppler flow imaging (CDFI), superb microvascular imaging (SMI), contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS), and shear wave elastography (SWE) technology was carried out. Finally, the chi-squared automatic interaction detector (CHAID) with a 10-fold cross-validation was used to establish DTs for CLNM prediction. The area under the curve was calculated to compare the predictive performance. Results: Univariate analysis indicated that CLNM was positively correlated with thyroglobulin level, maximum size, taller-than-wide, the number of microcalcifications greater than or equal to 5, contact capsule, abnormal cervical lymph node on conventional US, noncentripetal perfusion, delayed clearance, the average shear wave velocity (SWV mean), and the SWV ratio (P<0.05). The multimodal US DT based on taller-than-wide, contact capsule, abnormal cervical lymph node on conventional US, and centripetal enhancement as independent variables showed good discrimination: the sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 80.0%, 76.7%, 78.4%, and 0.837 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.771-0.902]. There was a significant difference between the multimodal and conventional US DTs (P=0.009). Conclusions: Our results indicated that the DT based on the preoperative multimodal US characteristics of PTCs has a reasonable predictive ability for CLNM and can be conveniently used for clinical decision-making of individualized treatment in patients with well-differentiated PTC.

Assessment of Contents and Health Impacts of Four Metals in Chongming Asparagus-Geographical and Seasonal Aspects.

In this paper, the contents of four typical metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, and As) in asparagus, water, and soil from Chongming Island were quantitatively determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The contents of these metals in asparagus showed a common rule of Pb > As > Cd > Hg in different harvest seasons and regions. Significant seasonal differences were found in the contents by difference analysis, but no obvious regional differences were observed. Furthermore, the asparagus did not accumulate these four metals from the soil in Chongming Island by the assessment of bio-concentration factor. The asparagus was proved safe by the analysis of single-factor pollution index and Nemerow pollution index. Through combining the analysis of the above indexes and the geological accumulation index, we found that 51.62% of soil samples were mildly polluted by cadmium. The results of health risk analysis showed that the risk value of children was higher than that of adults under oral exposure, but the four metals in asparagus possessed no obvious risk to health. The above assessments illustrate that the daily consumption of asparagus in Chongming Island will not cause potential health impacts. It is of benefit to ensure the quality and economic interests of asparagus planting in Chongming Island through the investigation of this study.

A Clinical Assessment of a Magnetic Resonance Computer-Aided Diagnosis System in the Detection of Pathological Complete Response After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the diagnostic performance and the added value to radiologists of different levels of a computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) system for the detection of pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) in patients with breast cancer. Besides, to investigate whether tumor molecular typing is associated with the efficiency of diagnosis of the CAD systems. Methods: 470 patients were identified with breast cancers who underwent NAC and post MR imaging between January 2016 and March 2019. The diagnostic performance of radiologists of different levels and the CAD system were compared. The added value of the CAD system was assessed and subgroup analyses were performed according to the tumor molecular typing. Results: Among 470 patients, 123 (26%) underwent pCR. The CAD system showed a comparable specificity as the senior radiologist (83.29% vs. 84.15%, p=0.488) and comparable area under the curve (AUC) (0.839 vs. 0.835, p =0.452). The performance of all radiologists significantly improved when aided by the CAD system (P<0.05), And there were no statistical differences in terms of sensitivity, specificity and accuracy between the two groups with CAD assistance(p>0.05).The AUC values for identifying pCR in TN patients were significant (0.883, 95%CI: 0.801-0.964, p < 0.001). Conclusion: The CAD system assessed in this study improves the performance of all radiologists, regardless of experience. The molecular typing of breast cancer is potential influencer of CAD diagnostic performance.

Purification and Characterization of Plantaricin YKX and Assessment of Its Inhibitory Activity Against Alicyclobacillus spp.

Consumers prefer natural over synthetic chemical preservatives on a food label. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure the safety and efficacy of such natural preservatives. The emergence of heat-resistant spore-forming Alicyclobacillus spp. has been associated with spoilage problems in the fruit juice industry. Herein, a bacteriocin-producing stain YKX was isolated from the traditional pickles in Hanzhong City, China, and it was identified as Lactobacillus plantarum by morphological, biochemical, physiological, and genotypic features. A stable bacteriocin, plantaricin YKX, was isolated, purified, and tested for its efficacy against Alicyclobacillus acidoterrestris. Plantaricin YKX is a 14-amino acid peptide (Lys-Tyr-Gly-Asn-Gly-Leu-Ser-Arg-Ile-Phe-Ser-Ala-Leu-Lys). Its minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) against the tested bacterial and fungal strains were ranged from 16 to 64 µg/mL. It is thermostable and active at pH 3-8. The flow cytometry data and microscopic observations suggested that plantaricin YKX can augment cell membrane permeability, induce potassium ion leakage and pore formation, and disrupt cell membranes. It also affects spore germination and guaiacol production of A. acidoterrestris, probably due to upregulation of the luxS gene linked to quorum sensing.

Clinical Significance of Ultrasound-Based Hemodynamic Assessment of Extracranial Internal Carotid Artery and Posterior Cerebral Artery in Symptomatic and Angiographic Evolution of Moyamoya Disease: A Preliminary Study.

Objective: To investigate the hemodynamic changes using ultrasound according to digital subtraction angiography (DSA) findings and explore the association between ultrasound parameters and clinical symptoms of moyamoya disease (MMD). Methods: Hemodynamic parameters of extracranial internal carotid artery (EICA) and posterior cerebral artery (PCA) were evaluated by ultrasound. According to DSA findings, EICA parameters among Suzuki stages (stage I-II, III-IV, and V-VI), and PCA parameters among leptomeningeal system scores (score 0-2, 3-4, and 5-6) were compared, respectively. ROC analysis was performed based on the ultrasound parameters to distinguish stroke from non-stroke patients. Results: Forty patients with MMD were included in our study (16 men; median age, 37 years). The diameter (D), peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV) and flow volume (FV) of EICA decreased as the Suzuki stage advanced (D: P < 0.001; PSV: P < 0.001; EDV: P < 0.001; FV: P < 0.001). The PSV and EDV of PCA increased as the leptomeningeal system scores advanced (PSV: P < 0.001; EDV: P < 0.001). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curves (AUCs) based on the D and FV of EICA, the PSV and EDV of PCA and their combination were 0.688, 0.670, 0.727, 0.684, and 0.772, respectively, to distinguish stroke from non-stroke patients. Conclusions: Ultrasound parameters were related to Suzuki stages and leptomeningeal system scores. Ultrasound may be useful in predicting the occurrence of stroke in patients with MMD. Future prospective studies with large sample sizes and long-term follow-up are needed to confirm our preliminary findings.

COST1 regulates autophagy to control plant drought tolerance.

Plants balance their competing requirements for growth and stress tolerance via a sophisticated regulatory circuitry that controls responses to the external environments. We have identified a plant-specific gene, COST1 (constitutively stressed 1), that is required for normal plant growth but negatively regulates drought resistance by influencing the autophagy pathway. An Arabidopsis thaliana cost1 mutant has decreased growth and increased drought tolerance, together with constitutive autophagy and increased expression of drought-response genes, while overexpression of COST1 confers drought hypersensitivity and reduced autophagy. The COST1 protein is degraded upon plant dehydration, and this degradation is reduced upon treatment with inhibitors of the 26S proteasome or autophagy pathways. The drought resistance of a cost1 mutant is dependent on an active autophagy pathway, but independent of other known drought signaling pathways, indicating that COST1 acts through regulation of autophagy. In addition, COST1 colocalizes to autophagosomes with the autophagosome marker ATG8e and the autophagy adaptor NBR1, and affects the level of ATG8e protein through physical interaction with ATG8e, indicating a pivotal role in direct regulation of autophagy. We propose a model in which COST1 represses autophagy under optimal conditions, thus allowing plant growth. Under drought, COST1 is degraded, enabling activation of autophagy and suppression of growth to enhance drought tolerance. Our research places COST1 as an important regulator controlling the balance between growth and stress responses via the direct regulation of autophagy.

Responses of Woody Plant Functional Traits to Nitrogen Addition: A Meta-Analysis of Leaf Economics, Gas Exchange, and Hydraulic Traits.

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition has been found to significantly affect plant growth and physiological performance in terrestrial ecosystems. Many individual studies have investigated how N addition influences plant functional traits, however these investigations have usually been limited to a single species, and thereby do not allow derivation of general patterns or underlying mechanisms. We synthesized data from 56 papers and conducted a meta-analysis to assess the general responses of 15 variables related to leaf economics, gas exchange, and hydraulic traits to N addition among 61 woody plant species, primarily from temperate and subtropical regions. Results showed that under N addition, leaf area index (+10.3%), foliar N content (+7.3%), intrinsic water-use efficiency (+3.1%) and net photosynthetic rate (+16.1%) significantly increased, while specific leaf area, stomatal conductance, and transpiration rate did not change. For plant hydraulics, N addition significantly increased vessel diameter (+7.0%), hydraulic conductance in stems/shoots (+6.7%), and water potential corresponding to 50% loss of hydraulic conductivity (P50, +21.5%; i.e., P50 became less negative), while water potential in leaves (-6.7%) decreased (became more negative). N addition had little effect on vessel density, hydraulic conductance in leaves and roots, or water potential in stems/shoots. N addition had greater effects on gymnosperms than angiosperms and ammonium nitrate fertilization had larger effects than fertilization with urea, and high levels of N addition affected more traits than low levels. Our results demonstrate that N addition has coupled effects on both carbon and water dynamics of woody plants. Increased leaf N, likely fixed in photosynthetic enzymes and pigments leads to higher photosynthesis and water use efficiency, which may increase leaf growth, as reflected in LAI results. These changes appear to have downstream effects on hydraulic function through increases in vessel diameter, which leads to higher hydraulic conductance, but lower water potential and increased vulnerability to embolism. Overall, our results suggest that N addition will shift plant function along a tradeoff between C and hydraulic economies by enhancing C uptake while simultaneously increasing the risk of hydraulic dysfunction.

Elevated concentrations of perfluorohexanesulfonate and other per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Baiyangdian Lake (China): Source characterization and exposure assessment.

Novel 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA) and legacy PFASs, such as perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), have been used to replace perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), a known persistent organic pollutant. Thus, it is critical to understand these PFOS alternatives regarding their sources and concentrations in the natural environment. In this study, 41 surface water samples as well as edible aquatic organisms were collected from Baiyangdian Lake, the largest freshwater lake in Hebei Province, China. Perfluorooctanoate acid (PFOA) and PFHxS were the predominant PFASs detected in the surface water, reaching concentrations of 8 397.23 ng/L and 1 478.03 ng/L, respectively, with PFHxS accounting for the greatest proportion (∼80.00%) in most water samples. PFHxS (mean: 87.53 ng/g) and PFOS (mean: 35.94 ng/g) were also the most prevalent compounds detected in aquatic organisms. Estimated daily intake (EDI) values of PFOS (16.56 ng/kg bw/d) and PFHxS (16.11 ng/kg bw/d) via aquatic food and drinking water were the highest among PFASs, indicating potential exposure risks to residents. In addition, fish product consumption was the important exposure pathway for residents to PFOA, PFHxS, PFOS, and 6:2 chlorinated polyfluorinated ether sulfonate (6:2 Cl-PFESA). This study reports on the highest PFHxS levels ever recorded in surface water, suggesting that further quantification of PFHxS in human serum and assessment of its health risks to local residents are warranted and critical.

A history of standardization in the English translation of traditional Chinese medicine terminology.

In order to facilitate and propose further international standardization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) terminology, this article applies methods of historiography, philology and descriptive study to divide the history of TCM into three phases, based on representative experts and social events; to illustrate different aspects of these experts and their translation principles and standards and to discuss associated factors and inherent problems. The authors find that the development of a terminology standard for TCM has generally progressed from early approaches that were ill-suited to the contemporary needs to culturally and professionally referenced approaches, from uncoordinated research to systematic studies, and from individual works to collaborative endeavors. The present international standards of TCM terminology have been attained through the work of numerous scholars and experts in the history of the field. The authors are optimistic that a more comprehensive and recognized standard will come out soon.

Assessment on dioxin-like compounds intake from various marine fish from Zhoushan Fishery, China.

Sea fish consuming is an important intake source of dioxin-like compounds, especially for the coastal residents. To assess the intake levels of these contaminants from sea fish and to provide risk-based consumption advice, concentrations of 17 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) and 12 dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (dl-PCBs) were measured in 32 commonly consumed fish species from Zhoushan Fishery, China. Due to the different accumulation influenced by fat content, feed habits and living zone in the sea area, the levels of PCDDs, PCDFs and dl-PCBs in different fish species varied significantly ranging from 0.002 to 0.078pg WHO-TEQ/g fresh weight, from 0.002 to 0.553pg WHO-TEQ/g fresh weight and from 0.003 to 2.059pg WHO-TEQ/g fresh weight, respectively. Based on mean fish consuming rate in China, the estimated maximum possible dioxin-like compounds intake through different fish species ranged from 0.26 to 65.61pgTEQkg(-1)bwmonth(-1). Bullet mackerel has the highest monthly intake level which was much higher than other fish species and very close to the provisional tolerable monthly intake (70pgTEQkg(-)(1)bwmonth(-)(1)) proposed by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Hence, comparing to other fish species, the consumption of Bullet mackerel from Zhoushan Fishery should be cautious to reduce the potential health risk.

Echo-tracking technology assessment of carotid artery stiffness in patients with coronary slow flow.

Coronary slow flow (CSF) in coronary angiography (CAG) is a well-recognized clinical entity. Previous studies have suggested that microvascular abnormalities and endothelial dysfunction are responsible for CSF. Accordingly, we hypothesized that the CSF phenomenon is a form of atherosclerosis including both small vessels and epicardial coronary arteries. The echo-tracking (ET) technique is a non-invasive detection method for early prediction of arterial atherosclerosis. Therefore, we investigated carotid elasticity with the ET technique in patients with CSF. Fifty patients with CSF and 50 patients with normal coronary artery blood flow, as determined by CAG, with a similar distribution of risk factors were recruited. The stiffness parameter (ß), pressure-strain elastic modulus (Ep), arterial compliance (AC), augmentation index (AIx) and local pulse-wave velocity (PWV) were determined at the level of the bilateral common carotid artery (CCA) with using the ET technique. Levels of serum high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-HSCRP) were determined for the two groups. ß, Ep and PWV were significantly higher in the CSF group than in the control group (ß: 11.4 ± 3.76 vs. 9.22 ± 3.28, p < 0.01; Ep: 153.44 ± 47.85 vs. 126.40 ± 43.32, p < 0.01; PWV: 7.26 ± 1.10 vs. 6.55 ± 1.02, p < 0.01), but AC was lower in the CSF group than in the control group (0.62 ± 0.20 vs. 0.74 ± 0.24, p < 0.01). The elasticity parameters of the bilateral common carotid artery did not significantly differ. The level of hs-HSCRP was correlated positively with ß (r = 0.306, p = 0.015), Ep (r = 0.358, p = 0.005) and PWV (r = 0.306, p = 0.015), but negatively with AC (r = -0.236, p = 0.049). In conclusion, the ET technique is a simple practical method for evaluating carotid artery elasticity, and there is a significant correlation between carotid artery stiffness and level of hs-HSCRP in patients with CSF.

Risk and benefit assessment of potential neurodevelopmental effect resulting from consumption of marine fish from a coastal archipelago in China.

The aim of this study was to assess net neurodevelopmental effect via maternal consumption of marine fish. A total of thirty-one species were collected from Zhoushan, China. The net IQ point gain was assessed by FAO/WHO deterministic approach and probabilistic computation (if necessary). Results of the deterministic assessment of two samples belonging to Scoliodon sorrakowah showed negative IQ point gain in both common and extreme consumption scenarios (175 and 450 g/week, respectively); the net IQ gain caused by both consumption scenarios of other species were positive. Both consumption scenarios of Scoliodon sorrakowah showed beneficial neurodevelopmental effect according to probabilistic computation (95% CI for mean of net IQ gain: 0.0536-0.0554 and 0.1377-0.1425, respectively). Except for Scoliodon sorrakowah, this study indicates that both consumption scenarios of other studied species would be recommended according to the FAO/WHO approach. There would be no recommendation of consumption scenarios of Scoliodon sorrakowah for the reason for carefulness.

Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography in the assessment of severity of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension and right ventricular dysfunction.

PURPOSE: The aim was to investigate the role of computed tomographic pulmonary angiography (CTPA) in the assessment of severity and right ventricular function in chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Clinical and radiological data of 56 patients with CTEPH January 2006-October 2009 were retrospectively reviewed in the present study. All patients received CTPA with a 64-row CT using the retrospective ECG-Gated mode before digital subtraction pulmonary angiography and right-heart catheterization. CTPA findings including Right Ventricular diameter (RVd) and left ventricular diameter (LVd) were measured at the end diastole. CT Pulmonary Artery Obstruction Indexes including Qanadli Index and Mastora Index were used in the assessment of severity of pulmonary arterial obstruction. Hemodynamic parameters and pulmonary hypertension classification were evaluated by right-heart catheterization in all patients. Right ventricular function was measured with echocardiography in 49 patients. RESULTS: Qanadli Index and Mastora Index respectively were (37.93±14.74)% and (30.92±16.91)%, which showed a significant difference (Z=-5.983, P=0.000) and a good correlation (r=0.881, P=0.000). Neither Qanadli nor Mastora Index correlated with pulmonary hypertension classification (r=-0.009, P=0.920) or New York Heart Association heart function classification (r=-0.031, P=0.756). Neither Qanadli nor Mastora Index correlated with any echocardiographic right ventricular parameters (P>0.05), while RVd/LVd by CTPA correlated with echocardiographic right ventricular functional parameters (P<0.05). Both Qanadli (r=-0.288, P=0.006) and Mastora Index (r=-0.203, P=0.032) demonstrated a weakly negative correlation with SPO2. CTPA findings correlated with hemodynamic variables. Backward linear regression analysis revealed that the RVd/LVd, Right Ventricular Anterior Wall Thickness (RVAWT), Main Pulmonary Artery trunk diameter (MPAd) were shown to be independently associated with mean Pulmonary Artery Pressure (mPAP) levels (model: r2=0.351, P=0.025; RVd/LVd: beta=11.812, P=0.000; RVAWT: beta=2.426, P=0.000; MPAd: beta=0.677, P=0.003). CONCLUSION: Computed tomographic pulmonary angiography is a valuable tool to evaluate hemodynamics, right ventricular function of CTEPH, but neither Qanadli Index nor Mastora Index can reflect pulmonary arterial obstruction in CTEPH accurately.

Analyzing online game players: from materialism and motivation to attitude.

The online game market has been growing rapidly and has received an increasing amount of attention in recent years. The results of a survey conducted in China to explore online game players' attitude formation reveal that (a) the online game player's level of materialism positively influences the motivation for playing, (b) motivation positively influences attitude toward online games, and (c) motivation fully mediates the effects of materialism on attitude.